Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) has a long history of traditional use in North American herbal medicine, primarily among Indigenous peoples and later in Western herbalism. It is most commonly used for soothing the digestive tract due to its mucilaginous (gel-like) properties when mixed with water. The mucilage is thought to coat and soothe the lining of the stomach and intestines, potentially reducing irritation that can contribute to symptoms like gas and bloating. Historical and anecdotal evidence suggests that slippery elm was used to address various gastrointestinal complaints, including heartburn, indigestion, and mild digestive discomfort.

However, scientific validation specifically for gas and bloating is limited. While the demulcent action of slippery elm may theoretically provide symptomatic relief by calming the digestive tract, there are few high-quality clinical trials that directly assess its efficacy for gas and bloating. Most available studies focus on its use in conditions like sore throat, cough, or inflammatory bowel disease, rather than specifically on functional gastrointestinal symptoms like flatulence and bloating. As such, while its use for gas and bloating is justified by traditional use and plausible mechanism of action, robust scientific evidence is lacking, and its effectiveness for these symptoms remains largely anecdotal.

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